Print friendly version

Lesson ideas

Fair dinkum!

Students understand that there are different interpretations of fairness, justice and equity.

The questions raised in these activities are not uncommon in most classrooms. Through discussion of scenarios, the students should understand the complexities of the terms fairness, justice and equity. In particular students should understand that, depending on the circumstances, fairness and justice do not always result when everyone is treated the same, and unfairness and injustice do not always result when individuals are not treated the same.
Teachers may adapt the scenarios, or use their own.

1. Explore
   • Download Explore scenarios and distribute to groups for discussion exploring the questions:
     Do you think that this is fair?
     Can you think of any circumstances under which this would be fair?
     Do certain circumstances merit special treatment?
   • Each group comments on one scenario.
2. Discuss
   • Ask students to share experiences they have had when they did not feel they were treated with fairness, justice and equity.
   • Discuss their experiences in terms of:
     Is treating everyone the same always fair?
     Is it sometimes fairer to treat people differently?
     Do certain circumstances merit special treatment?
3. Define (see teacher's notes)
   Discuss the following terms and construct group definitions
   equality
   equity
   fairness
   justice
   social justice
   

1. Equity
   • View fact sheet Fair dinkum! social justice and equity in your school Read and discuss.
   • Ask students whether they think their school is fair dinkum?
     Do all students have access to a fair go, a fair share, a fair say and fair content?
   • Ask the class if there are people in their school who are treated differently from others. Is this different treatment fair? Why?·
   • If students believe that some are treated unfairly what action do they consider necessary to rectify the situation?·
   • As a class or in groups plan and implement a strategy to bring about the desired change.
2. Equal access
   • Divide the buildings, grounds and facilities of the school into areas and allocate to pairs or groups of students to evaluate accessibility and full participation for all students. Where possible researchers could borrow wheelchairs and other mobility aids to test access.
   • Students prepare reports detailing problem situations and the impact on student opportunities.
   • Students make recommendations to improve problem areas.

Priority Schools Funding Program, NSW Department of Education and Training
Support Sheet #1 Social Justice and Equity Principals

Fair Go Australia